Hatch struts in hood

[Mariob316]

I was thinking of getting two more hatch struts and putting the under the hood so when i open the hood i dnt have to put the hood thing to keep it open. Has anyone ever done this before? and is it possible with the the hatch strut?

[Demonic1]

Well assuming the hood weighs less than the hatch, it should be possible. You'd have to work out a way to mount the struts where they will clear the fenders when it's shut. Also avoid putting a bolt through the outside of the hood.
Another thing to think about, they're gas struts and mine don't work so good in cold weather. Don't want the hood dropping on your head because it's snowing.

Sounds like a good idea.

[SteeleMX3]

not bad, not bad...just have to work out the cold weather thing as mine is the same way.
post pics when/if you've done it!

[Ryan]

It has been done before... there was a failed group buy on it.

[Dark_Rider2k3]

this is a good idea.. i might research into it

[Finch]

seriously??? thats alot of effort to put in just so you dont have to use the prop rod....

[Surgefilter]

seriously??? thats alot of effort to put in just so you dont have to use the prop rod....

Thats what I thought. Would be time better spent on another area of the car. IMO.

[Mariob316]

Good point on the bolt through hood thing, i was thinking of seeing if something like this would work. I'd have to measure how high the strut goes and how high the hinges go and go from there. Once i have time to go to the scrap and find hatch strut ill try it out.

[Finch]

if your actually serious about doing this, just go to the auto wreckers and take the shocks from under the hood of a car that has those hood prop shocks..i think if you use the ones from the hatch they will be too long.. but again this seems like too much effort for little improvment

[wytbishop]

I actually think that removing the hood prop would be worth doing. It's always in the way when I'm under the hood and it doesn't quite hold the hood up high enough.

Finch is right the hatch struts are too long. You need nice strong short ones so that you can mount them near the hinge so they will be out of the way. The kits that you can buy are pop riveted to the stiffening layer under the hood but I think you could use structural adhesive and that would work just fine.

[mikeinaus]

i cant see this being that difficult or expensive.... an hour or 2 of dicking around and it will be done. the hardest part would be getting the perfect angle for the props to work at.

make a metal bracket that sits between the hood and the hinge bolts to extend a bit farther up. attach a hinge, find something in the engine bay to attach the strut to and your done.

image courtesy of onlytrueromeo's worklog and my fantastic paint skills


looks like you could attach the bottom of the strut to the ps reservoir, or somewhere around there.

[Mariob316]

I found instructions on how to do it for a mustang, im sure it would be kinda similar.

http://www.americanmuscle.com/redline-t ... stall.html

[_-Night-Shade-_]

*Sigh* It's already been done, I know JM1EC-V6 has done it, not sure who else has. It shouldn't be hard to do at all.

http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=63629" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mikeinaus]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NRG-Hood-damper-Shoc ... 2566wt_958" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Miguelitto]

Hi guys....
Here in Brazil a friend of mine did this upgrade in the hood....
In this link you can see the pics, but the text are in portuguese...
http://www.mx3zone.com/Forums/viewtopic ... dor#p12769" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Feel free to ask.....